Saturday, August 2, 2014

'Alive Inside' Pairs Music With Dementia Patients

Alive Inside is an
emotionally charged documentary about music and its affects on dementia
patients. The documentary leaves
a lasting impact.

Directed by Michael Rossato-Bennett the documentary beautifully and craftily demonstrates how music can
actually change and enhance lives. It was spearheaded by social worker Dan
Cohen.

Through music some people are able to fight depression while
it helps others bring back a sense of self.After research Cohen noted how music had the ability to
reawaken forgotten or buried memories and emotions in dementia patients.The film documents the affect music has
on people who have otherwise been unresponsive.

In the film Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization
Music & Memory, visits several nursing homes, talks to residents, learns
their musical interests and presents them with the kind of music they’ve had a
relationship with. In some cases it’s a three-hanky scene as one by one patients
who have been expressionless for years are suddenly talking, singing, and even
dancing.

Henry Dreher

An example is 94-year-old Henry Dreher, whose life consisted
of sitting in a chair all day with his head down.

Almost immediately after headphones are placed on his ears,
Dreher’s eyes open, his face changes, he speaks and then begins to sing with a
renewed joy. It’s a miracle to behold.

Cohen, who has a background in high-tech training and
software applications, initially began his journey by putting together a short
film featuring Dreher and posting it on the Music & Memory website. The result
was 7 million views.A Kickstarter
campaign netted Cohen some much needed funds to complete the film. One of Cohen’s goals is to see musical
headsets given to every patient in every nursing home in the country. A lofty
idea indeed, but Cohen is undeterred. Surprisingly, Cohen faced backlash when he spoke to nursing
home execs about introducing the personalized music to their patients. One of
the reasons cited was reluctance to changing the standard operating procedure.

Statistics show that more then 600 nursing homes in 45
states are Music & Memory certified, with 19 of those in California.

This past January Alive
Inside received the Audience Award at Sundance.

Alive Inside is one
of the best documentaries this year. The film is currently open in New York and Los Angeles.